This edition is for special sale to ESF-COST only. Special cover and front matter printed. Otherwise the contents are the same as ISBN 0444528571/9780444528575. Be aware: this is an adjusted version of 9780444528575. This version is called the COST version. Prelims and cover will have to be printed seperately

All organisms require nitrogen to live and grow. The movement of nitrogen between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere in different forms is described by the nitrogen cycle. This book is an activity of the COST 856 Action on Denitrification. It covers all aspects of the N-cycle: chemistry, biology (enzymology, molecular biology), physics, applied aspects (greenhouse effect, N-pollution problems, practices in farming, in waste-water treatment, and more). In this book, leading editors offer the latest research available on dentrification (reduction of nitrates or nitrites commonly by bacteria- as in soil). * Provides details on denitrification and its general role in the environment * Offers latest research in N-Cycle and its reactions * Discusses impacts on various environments: agriculture, wetlands, plants, waste-water treatment and more * The only book available in the field since the last 20 years * Contains 27 chapters written by internationally highly recognized experts in the field * Covers all modern aspects, emphasizes molecular biology and ecology * Written in an easily understandable way

Nitrogen is arguably the most important nutrient required by plants. However, the availability of nitrogen is limited in many soils and although the earth's atmosphere consists of 78.1% nitrogen gas (N2) plants are unable to use this form of nitrogen. To compensate , modern agriculture has been highly reliant on industrial nitrogen fertilizers to achieve maximum crop productivity. However, a great deal of fossil fuel is required for the production and delivery of nitrogen fertilizer. Moreover carbon dioxide (CO2) which is released during fossil fuel combustion contributes to the greenhouse effect and run off of nitrate leads to eutrophication of the waterways. Biological nitrogen fixation is an alternative to nitrogen fertilizer. It is carried out by prokaryotes using an enzyme complex called nitrogenase and results in atmospheric N2 being reduced into a form of nitrogen diazotrophic organisms and plants are able to use (ammonia). It is this process and its major players which will be discussed in this book. Biological Nitrogen Fixation is a comprehensive two volume work bringing together both review and original research articles on key topics in nitrogen fixation. Chapters across both volumes emphasize molecular techniques and advanced biochemical analysis approaches applicable to various aspects of biological nitrogen fixation. Volume 1 explores the chemistry and biochemistry of nitrogenases, nif gene regulation, the taxonomy, evolution, and genomics of nitrogen fixing organisms, as well as their physiology and metabolism. Volume 2 covers the symbiotic interaction of nitrogen fixing organisms with their host plants, including nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, plant and microbial "omics", cyanobacteria, diazotrophs and non-legumes, field studies and inoculum preparation, as well as nitrogen fixation and cereals. Covering the full breadth of current nitrogen fixation research and expanding it towards future advances in the field, Biological Nitrogen Fixation will be a one-stop reference for microbial ecologists and environmental microbiologists as well as plant and agricultural researchers working on crop sustainability.

This book provides an introductory-level survey of biological nitrogen fixation, covering the role of the process in the global nitrogen cycle as well as its biochemistry, physiology, genetics, ecology, general biology and prospects for its future exploitation.

Phylogenetic classification of nitrogen-fixing organisms. Physiology of nitrogen fixation in free-living heterotrophs. Nitrogen fixation by photosynthetic bacteria. Nitrogen fixation in cyanobacteria. Nitrogen fixation by methanogenic bacteria. Associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Actinorhizal symbioses. Ecology of bradyrhizobium and rhizobium. The rhizobium infection process. Physiology of nitrogen-fixing legume nodules: compartments, and functions. Hydrogen cycling in symbiotic bacteria. Evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbioses. The rhizobium symbiosis of the nonlegume parasponia. Genetic analysis of rhizobium nodulation. Nodulins in root nodule development. Plant genetics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Molecular genetics of bradyrhizobium symbioses. The enzymology of molybdenum-dependent nitrogen fixation. Alternative nitrogen fixation systems. Biochemical genetics of nitrogenase. Regulation of nitrogen fixation genes in free-living and symbiotic bacteria. Isolated iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase.

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds in soil is termed as nitrogen fixation. Most of the biological nitrogen is fixed by prokaryotic bacteria. A few of these are cyanobacteria, azotobacter, azospirillum, rhizobium and bradyrhizobium. Clover, soybean, peanut, etc., are some of the plants which help in nitrogen fixation process. These processes are part of the nitrogen cycle. They are of utmost significance in agriculture as nitrogen is required for the synthesis of various organic compounds like amino acids, nucleic acids and proteins. Nitrogen is also fixed by natural phenomenon such as lightning. It is also responsible for the formation of nitrogen oxides which may react with water to form nitrous acid or nitric acid. The acids seep into the soil where they are converted into nitrates. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to nitrogen fixation. From theories to research to practical applications, case studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this field have been included in it. This book is a vital tool for all researching or studying the biological and ecological aspects of nitrogen fixation as it gives incredible insights into emerging trends and concepts.